Last week, the Alliance convened a series of meetings and activities in Accra, Ghana, as part of its commitment to support country priorities for health systems strengthening. With more than twenty-five research grantees funded in Ghana over the past decades, the visit offered a timely moment to take stock of progress, reconnect with partners and identify future opportunities for collaboration.
Activities included the annual in-person meeting of the Alliance Board, high-level engagements with the Ministry of Health, a field visit to Ga South and a convening of Ghana’s health policy and systems research (HPSR) community. The week underscored the country’s momentum and commitment to health sovereignty under the Accra Reset and the government’s aim to design, finance and implement national health priorities through equitable, country-led partnerships.
Alliance Board meets in Accra
The Board met in Accra to review progress and consider future directions for the Alliance. The Board welcomed its newest member, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the former WHO Regional Director for Africa, and gave its thanks to Professor Helen Schneider, who will be concluding her term as Chair of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee at the end of the year.
The Board approved the Alliance’s workplan and budget for the 2026/27. Discussions focused on the parlous moment for global health and for health policy and systems research, in particular. Members reiterated the importance of sustained support to national research ecosystems and locally led agendas that translate evidence into policy and practice, and appreciated updates on the Alliance’s responsive work programme.
High-level discussions with the Ministry of Health
Board members and the Secretariat met with the Honourable Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and senior leaders from the Ministry along with the WHO Country Representative, Dr Fiona Braka, and team members from the WHO Country Office for Ghana. The Minister outlined Ghana’s significant reforms to advance health sovereignty and deliver equitable services, including the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Fund, the establishment of a dedicated noncommunicable disease fund and more.
“We welcome partnership and assistance, but programmes in Ghana must be designed with us and reflect our priorities. Any initiative implemented in our country must be country-led," he said.
He also highlighted measures to manage health workforce migration through structured agreements, boost local pharmaceutical production, and integrate pharmacies and private providers into a blended payment model for primary care.
Alliance Board members commended Ghana’s leadership and long-standing commitment to using evidence in policy-making, noting that lessons from these reforms will be valuable for other countries across the region.
Visiting Ga South to see primary health care in practice
The Alliance delegation visited health facilities in Ga South to see how primary care is organized and delivered at subnational level. The district illustrated how data systems, community-based services and facility management are evolving to support Ghana’s reform agenda, including integrating care for noncommunicable diseases.
The visit provided an opportunity to engage with district managers, clinical staff and community health workers who are implementing changes on the ground and identifying practical challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Vice Chair of the Alliance Board, Dr Jeanette Vega, thanked the district teams and noted: “The work in Ga South shows how much we can learn from primary care teams who are adapting services to meet the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions. These experiences are invaluable for shaping reforms – in Ghana and in many other countries facing similar challenges.”
Convening Ghana’s HPSR community
The series of meetings concluded with a gathering of Ghanaian researchers, former Alliance grantees, policy-makers and emerging leaders to reflect on how implementation and systems research continues to inform national decision-making.
In opening remarks, the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Caroline Reindorf Amissah, underscored the country’s long tradition of embedding research within policy and service delivery – from the development of the CHPS model to work on community health, financing and noncommunicable diseases.
“Forums like this, which bring together researchers, policy-makers, implementers and communities, help to ensure that knowledge is not only generated but applied. Ghana’s success has been built on evidence and partnership,” she said. She added that, going forward, “we need to be intentional in linking science to service, data to decisions and evidence to equity.”
Participants included current and former Alliance grantees working on community-based primary care, health financing, leadership development and health taxes. They shared how long-term collaborations between Ghana Health Service, universities and other national institutions have helped to generate solutions to practical problems while building a cadre of leaders grounded in health policy and systems research.
Reflecting on the discussion, Dr Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the Alliance, highlighted the importance of sustaining this ecosystem:
“For many years, Ghanaian researchers and policy-makers have shown how locally led health policy and systems research can shape real reforms. As external funding becomes more uncertain, finding ways to protect and grow domestic investment in this community will be critical for navigating the next generation of health system changes.”
Insights for the future
The week’s discussions highlighted both Ghana’s progress and the opportunities ahead. As the country advances reforms in financing, primary health care, digital transformation and health sovereignty, evidence will remain central to navigating emerging challenges. The Alliance will carry these insights into its work on the future of health systems and will continue partnering with Ghanaian institutions to co-produce knowledge that informs national and global reforms.